The Nigerian government has reassured the Republic of South Africa that it will continue to strengthen bilateral ties and work together to promote Africa’s development.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said this on Monday at the closing of the Ministerial Meeting of the 10th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Abuja.
Onyeama said both countries have common interests which must be used to move Africa forward.
“Nigeria’s and South Africa’s bilateral interests must go beyond trade level to that of influencing Africa’s position at the multinational level, where both countries seek the progress of the African continent.
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“Given by our common history and culture, the people of Southern Africa and West Africa, we are indeed brothers although separated by distance, we have the same outlook and aspiration. Therefore, we can bond, live, and share together.
“I am confident that the conclusion and the implementation of these agreements would cause a significant improvement in relations between the peoples of our two great countries,” Onyeama said.
According to him, the bi-national commission provides the needed platform to strengthen corporation between the two countries, to promote Africa’s interests at other international levels.
“We have no doubt that if Nigeria and South Africa come together, work together, it would be for the benefit of the whole of Africa. We will be the motor, the engine for Africa’s economic, technological, cultural, social development,” he added.
The South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor in her address said South Africa is committed to strengthening relations with Nigeria to address common challenges for mutual benefits.
“Our visit is intended to affirm South Africa’s commitment to strengthening and fostering greater collaboration and cooperation in bilateral and multilateral relations to address our common challenges for mutual benefit. It is our belief that Nigerian and South Africa are critical to Africa’s developmental progress,” she said.
The Agreements to be ratified by both countries include Early Warning Mechanism, Agreement on Arts and Culture, Agreement on Youth Development, Agreement on Immigration, among others.
